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Apartment Longrifle Transportation?

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Joined
Jul 26, 2014
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Guys I’m about to take delivery of my first custom longrifle, but I live in a 2nd story apartment and I’m wondering... guys how do I transport this thing to my truck?? I don’t have a garage and have to go down outdoor stairs to the parking lot. It’s not far, maybe 30-40 yards, but needless to say I don’t want the neighbors noticing me toting an expensive GUN around. It draws attention and makes me a target for theft or robbery.

Guys, I’ve been thinking maybe a case for a fly fishing reel? Maybe carry my shooting supplies in a tackle box to keep the image? Not sure... all I know is I need to find a way so I can take my rifle to the range without being attacked or burglarized at home.

Thoughts?
 
Your idea doesn't sound too bad to me. I doubt anyone would think twice as to it being a fishing setup. I can't think of anything else that wouldn't make them wonder what was inside.
Another thought is don't worry about concealing it back and forth and buying a small gun safe of some sort to keep it in. A smaller one that is still heavy enough that a couple of guys couldn't pack it off wouldn't be too bad to get up to the second floor of an appt. A lot of places will deliver them.
 
Why don't you use the cardboard box it comes in? Or fashion one, with some proper foam padding and maybe a good handle, BUT Leave The Cardboard on the outside intact. I'd double the layers of cardboard and glue them to each other so they don't come apart. Then hit the outside with Thompson's Water Seal and you're done. Plus carry it vertical not horizontal. IF you make it so that it has an end cap and doesn't open lengthwise, nobody's going to know.

LD
 
I found a long soft case for carrying my 64" recurve that does great double duty as a transport case for my flinters.
I don't remember where it came from but I will look and see if there are any tags on/in it that might help you procure one. Will post pics and let you know what I find out tomorrow.
 
Yeah I vote for the cardboard box routine. Put some stickers on there from the Acme pipe or light company or something like that. Some fluorescent bulbs are that long and come in long boxes like that. How are you carrying all your range stuff now? I would go the tackle box route there. Maybe even wear a carpenter's utility tool belt when you're carrying it all.
 
Guys I just want to say THANK YOU for the ideas and also thank you for understanding my current situation. I live in the city and simply can’t afford a house. Not everyone is retired and lives out in the country where they can do whatever they want whenever they want in privacy. Some us still want to be in this hobby, to experience the history and the thrill of black powder.
 
Since you have already heard some good ideas, you could switch it up between some of the less costly ideas, thus drawing less suspicion from the unscrupulous types. The box one day and a rug or fabric another day, if your wanting to use materials on hand.

I do like your idea of the fly fishing rod case and tackle box, as it would likely draw the least suspicion if carried between the house and vehicle multiple times per month. You may want to create a story regarding your fishing at a private pond and how you only catch and release, just to back up why you never bring any fish home (depending if you ever talk to your apartment folks).

If you do not already have a safe...I believe it was Marlin that used to include a device to screw to a stud wall or in a closet that allowed a firearm to be placed into a bracket, a brace put through it and a padlock installed on the brace to keep the gun relatively safe from theft. They can be found on various online auction sites.
 
I was being extremely flippant...in college I lived in a ratty neighborhood..more hood than neighbor. I was shooting competition then, shot 2xs a month, not to mention practice. I would load up in the morning, unload at dark. i moved my guns back to the house under cover of darkness, period. I kept them covered with a blanket in the floor of the car. I left the porch light off, parked by the door, and hustled them in and out, in a box if possible.

I just spent the last 23 years being a cop. I can assure you the local hood rats dont care if its a fly fishing rod, a gun, or a stripper pole...anything that LOOKS LIKE MONEY will catch their eye and goes in the "we gotta get that" list.

If I had to move it during the day, i think the idea of an empty fluorescent bulb box has merit. Unless you're gonna wear a utility belt and overalls everyday i would ditch that idea...they are LAZY and HIGH, not STUPID.

For God's sake don't put any NRA, NMLRA, Or US ARMY etc. stickers on your house or car. Thats like putting out cheese for mice.

I had the pleasure of catching the same home burglar TWICE in the act in a 6 month period, (burglars are RARELY caught in the act). The 2nd time, after the paramedics treated him on scene, (he slipped, its in the report), and on the ride to the jail i asked him why he picked the houses, across town from each other. He said both had military stickers on the cars/house, and he knew he could get guns from there and sell them for most money.

If you get a safe get one big enough it cant be opened with a can opener, or just picked up and carried off.

In the hood my fridge rolled away from the wall, i found the wall was just paneling covering up sewer cleanout pipes. I stashed the best of my collection there...but no one ever broke in.

Good luck
ET
 
a fly rod case may not be large enough to allow the buttstock to be covered.
I use a soft bass guitar case to transport all but my very longest Mlers.
Some cases are available and inexpensive and quite long.
 
Get yourself a cheap set of golf clubs, maybe from a pawn shop. Do a bit of customizing so you can carry the gun muzzle up and covered in the bag. You should be able to hide it in plain sight among the other clubs or under a bag cover. Would not think this would cause much unwanted attention (except maybe from other golfers and you don’t play golf). Once in the apartment keep golf bag near the door and the gun somewhere else. If someone in the neighborhood wants to liberate your valuables hopefully all they take is the cheap golf bag that they know you have.

Just a thought.
 
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